Eat the Frog: Tackling the Toughest Tasks in Capital Project Management

Mark Twain once said, "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." He wasn’t talking about managing large projects, but the lesson still applies—start with the hardest task first, and everything else will feel easier.

At PRIVV, Eat the Frog is more than just a saying—it’s our slogan. We take it seriously because we know that capital project management is full of tough decisions, tight deadlines, and complex problems. The key to success is tackling the biggest challenge first.

What Does "Eat the Frog" Mean for Capital Project Managers?

Every project has tasks that feel overwhelming. These are usually the ones that have the greatest impact but are also the hardest to solve. Your "frog" might be:

• Fixing a budget issue before it causes bigger problems
• Getting stakeholders to agree on a major decision
• Dealing with a scheduling conflict that could delay the project
• Navigating permitting or compliance challenges

Why Tackling the Toughest Task First Matters

Capital projects are complex, and delaying difficult tasks can create major issues. When project managers focus on the hardest challenge first, they:

• Prevent budget overruns before they escalate
• Keep the project on schedule by solving problems early
• Improve communication and avoid costly mistakes
• Reduce stress by eliminating major roadblocks upfront

By facing the toughest task first, the rest of the project runs more smoothly.

How Capital Project Management Software Helps You Eat the Frog

Many of the biggest challenges in capital project management stem from scattered information, slow decision-making, and unexpected risks. That’s where the right software makes a difference. A good software platform helps project teams:

• Get real-time budget and scheduling updates to make informed decisions
• Keep all communication and documents in one place to avoid confusion
• Automate workflows and approvals to reduce bottlenecks

We believe that solving the hardest problems first leads to better projects, stronger teams, and greater success. Eat the Frog is our philosophy, and we help our users live by it every day.